The night before the procedure, do not eat or drink anything after midnight.

Discuss your medications with your doctor. You may be asked to stop taking certain medications.

Women should let their doctor know if they are pregnant or planning to become pregnant.

Anesthesia

General anesthesia
will be used. It will block any pain and keep you asleep through the surgery.

Description of the Procedure

The doctor will monitor your blood pressure, heart rate, and pulse. An IV will be placed in your arm for sedation and anesthesia. The nurse will shave and sterilize the groin area. The catheter will be inserted in this area.

The doctor will make a tiny incision in your groin area to access an artery. The catheter will be placed in the artery and threaded up to the site. A special dye will be given through the catheter. The doctor will be able to see the catheter pathway on a monitor. X-rays will help the doctor find the exact weakened or malformed area.

Once the catheter is in position, medication, coils, or man-made material will be inserted into the catheter to the site. This will close or fill the blood vessel. Imaging tests will be done to make sure the blood vessels have closed.

Immediately After Procedure

The catheter and IV line will be removed. You will lie still for 6-8 hours.

How Long Will It Take?

30 minutes or longer—more complex procedures may take several hours.

How Much Will It Hurt?

Anesthesia will prevent pain during surgery. Pain and discomfort after the procedure can be managed with medications.

Average Hospital Stay

This procedure is done in a hospital setting. The usual length of stay is two days. If you have any complications, you will need to stay longer.

Post-procedure Care

At the Hospital

You will rest for several hours in bed.

Your vital signs will be monitored.

Preventing Infection

During your stay, the hospital staff will take steps to reduce your chance of infection, such as:

Washing their hands

Wearing gloves or masks

Keeping your incisions covered.

There are also steps you can take to reduce your chance of infection, such as:

Washing your hands often and reminding your healthcare providers to do the same

Reminding your healthcare providers to wear gloves or masks

Not allowing others to touch your incision

At Home

When you get home, you may have to adjust your activity level while you recover. This may take up to a week. Home care may include:

Resting when you need to

Caring for the wound

Physical or rehabilitative therapy

Call Your Doctor

It is important for you to monitor your recovery after you leave the hospital. Alert your doctor to any problems right away. If any of the following occur, call your doctor:

Any changes in physical ability, such as balance, strength, or movement

Any changes to mental status, such as consciousness, memory, or thinking

Weakness, numbness, tingling

Signs of infection including fever and chills

Redness, swelling, increasing pain, bleeding, or discharge from the incision site

Headache

Changes in vision

Fainting

Pain that you cannot control with the medications you were given

Persistent nausea or vomiting

Trouble controlling your bladder and/or bowels

Pain, swelling, or cramping in your legs

Call for emergency medical services right away if any of the following occurs:

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